State Rep. Evan Jenne D- Dania Beach, faces another challenge this November in representing Florida's House District 100. This time the opposition takes the form of an earnest newcomer who is making his first bid for office as a candidate without party affiliation. The district stretches from Dania Beach to Pembroke Pines and, if nothing else, voters in this south central Broward district have a choice between two legislative candidates with starkly contrasting views. For a member of a minority party, Jenne has done more than an adequate job representing the district during his sophomore term, and for that reason the Sun Sentinel Editorial Board recommends voters re-elect him to a third term in the Florida House of Representatives.

Spring is said to be the time for love, but this year it's open legislative and County Commission seats that are setting politicians' hearts aflutter. Even though the primary isn't until August 2014 and the general election is the following November, a political scramble is already underway. "It's not too early right now to be letting people know that you're planning on running," said former Florida Senate Minority Leader Steve Geller, D-Cooper City. In the political world, he said, "2014 is a lot closer than you think.

The race for state House District 100 pits a young incumbent Democrat against a tea party activist who runs a small business and can't afford health insurance but vociferously objects to President Barack Obama's health care overhaul. "You will never force me to participate in government-run health care," said Edward J. Bender, a plumber who installs and repairs industrial boilers. "That will never happen. I'm a free man. " This is the 55-year-old Bender's first run for public office.

Evan Jenne loves serving in the Florida House of Representatives. When newly drawn legislative districts confronted him with the prospect of a messy 2012 primary fight with another incumbent, he considered running for Broward County Commission. But the Legislature beckoned, and he decided to wait until a state House seat opened again in 2014. But Jenne, who rose to the upper levels of Democratic Party leadership in Tallahassee, doesn't have a guaranteed return ticket. Elaine Geller is also seeking the Democratic nomination in the 99th State House District in south-central Broward.

State-backed Citizens Property Insurance, Florida's largest home insurer, reported today that its administrative expenses and headcount stayed flat from 2009 to 2010 despite the fact that its number of policies grew by 25 percent. Citizens Chief Financial Officer Sharon Binnun told Citizens board members meeting this morning that she wanted to highlight that part of the insurer's latest budget. Citizens has 1,160 employees and its annual administrative expenses are about $139 million.

Gov. Rick Scott is bringing his campaign to boost his lowest-in-the-nation approval ratings to Fort Lauderdale. He's having lunch at the Floridian, the legendary if not exactly gourmet eatery on East Las Olas Boulevard. He's eating with a handful of Broward legislators from both parties, although it's not exactly the "lunch with the Broward Legislative Delegation" his office described in a press release. A total of eight senators and 18 representatives represent parts of Broward County.

Evan Jenne loves serving in the Florida House of Representatives. When newly drawn legislative districts confronted him with the prospect of a messy 2012 primary fight with another incumbent, he considered running for Broward County Commission. But the Legislature beckoned, and he decided to wait until a state House seat opened again in 2014. But Jenne, who rose to the upper levels of Democratic Party leadership in Tallahassee, doesn't have a guaranteed return ticket. Elaine Geller is also seeking the Democratic nomination in the 99th State House District in south-central Broward.

Broward County might be a metropolis of 1.8 million people, but its governance can seem more like the town where mom's the county clerk, dad's the sheriff, and sis is the councilwoman. Stick around long enough, and you'll realize that many of those in power are related to each other. Nepotism rules don't apply where sons and daughters are running for relatives' seats, or husbands and wives hold public offices in different Broward cities. Lori Parrish, the property appraiser, is married to Geoff Cohen, the circuit judge.

State Reps. Evan Jenne, D-Dania Beach, and Matt Hudson, R-Naples, agree on one thing: Next year's legislative session will be grueling and, in many ways, not much fun. "It will be one of the most chaotic sessions that's happened in a very, very, very long time," said Jenne, the chairman of Broward's legislative delegation and part of the Democratic leadership team in the Florida House. Hudson, who represents part of southwest Broward, agreed: "It will be chaotic. It will be a very chaotic session.

Spring is said to be the time for love, but this year it's open legislative and County Commission seats that are setting politicians' hearts aflutter. Even though the primary isn't until August 2014 and the general election is the following November, a political scramble is already underway. "It's not too early right now to be letting people know that you're planning on running," said former Florida Senate Minority Leader Steve Geller, D-Cooper City. In the political world, he said, "2014 is a lot closer than you think.

Broward County might be a metropolis of 1.8 million people, but its governance can seem more like the town where mom's the county clerk, dad's the sheriff, and sis is the councilwoman. Stick around long enough, and you'll realize that many of those in power are related to each other. Nepotism rules don't apply where sons and daughters are running for relatives' seats, or husbands and wives hold public offices in different Broward cities. Lori Parrish, the property appraiser, is married to Geoff Cohen, the circuit judge.

State Reps. Evan Jenne, D-Dania Beach, and Matt Hudson, R-Naples, agree on one thing: Next year's legislative session will be grueling and, in many ways, not much fun. "It will be one of the most chaotic sessions that's happened in a very, very, very long time," said Jenne, the chairman of Broward's legislative delegation and part of the Democratic leadership team in the Florida House. Hudson, who represents part of southwest Broward, agreed: "It will be chaotic. It will be a very chaotic session.

Gov. Rick Scott is bringing his campaign to boost his lowest-in-the-nation approval ratings to Fort Lauderdale. He's having lunch at the Floridian, the legendary if not exactly gourmet eatery on East Las Olas Boulevard. He's eating with a handful of Broward legislators from both parties, although it's not exactly the "lunch with the Broward Legislative Delegation" his office described in a press release. A total of eight senators and 18 representatives represent parts of Broward County.

State-backed Citizens Property Insurance, Florida's largest home insurer, reported today that its administrative expenses and headcount stayed flat from 2009 to 2010 despite the fact that its number of policies grew by 25 percent. Citizens Chief Financial Officer Sharon Binnun told Citizens board members meeting this morning that she wanted to highlight that part of the insurer's latest budget. Citizens has 1,160 employees and its annual administrative expenses are about $139 million.

State Rep. Evan Jenne D- Dania Beach, faces another challenge this November in representing Florida's House District 100. This time the opposition takes the form of an earnest newcomer who is making his first bid for office as a candidate without party affiliation. The district stretches from Dania Beach to Pembroke Pines and, if nothing else, voters in this south central Broward district have a choice between two legislative candidates with starkly contrasting views. For a member of a minority party, Jenne has done more than an adequate job representing the district during his sophomore term, and for that reason the Sun Sentinel Editorial Board recommends voters re-elect him to a third term in the Florida House of Representatives.

The race for state House District 100 pits a young incumbent Democrat against a tea party activist who runs a small business and can't afford health insurance but vociferously objects to President Barack Obama's health care overhaul. "You will never force me to participate in government-run health care," said Edward J. Bender, a plumber who installs and repairs industrial boilers. "That will never happen. I'm a free man. " This is the 55-year-old Bender's first run for public office.

The Florida Elections Commission has found probable cause that state Rep. Evan Jenne, D-Dania Beach, violated state elections laws by accepting donations from five groups and individuals that exceeded the $500 limit. In 2007, three groups and two individuals gave Jenne two $500 checks for a total of $1,000 each -- even though Florida law caps donations at $500 per election. Jenne returned the duplicate donations, but the elections commission noted that Jenne (who served as treasurer for his own campaign)

Posted by Anthony Man on September 16, 2009 05:42 PM, September 16, 2009

Freda Stevens, who attempted to unseat state Rep. Evan Jenne, D-Dania Beach, last year ? and is now running for a different seat in the Florida House ? says her former opponent is being investigated for ?attempted bribery, intimidation, and public corruption.? Her allegations boil down to a claim that Jenne, who easily defeated Stevens and another challenger in the 2008 Democratic primary, was afraid that she?d run against him again next year. To avoid that, Stevens claims he attempted to bribe her by offering her money to run in a different House seat.

Freda Stevens, who attempted to unseat state Rep. Evan Jenne, D-Dania Beach, last year - and is now running for a different seat in the Florida House - says her former opponent is being investigated for "attempted bribery, intimidation, and public corruption." Jenne denies the claim. Her central claim is that Jenne, who easily defeated Stevens and another challenger in the 2008 Democratic primary, was afraid that she'd run against him again next year. Stevens claims he attempted to bribe her by offering her money to run for a different House seat.

Posted by Anthony Man on September 16, 2009 05:42 PM, September 16, 2009

Freda Stevens, who attempted to unseat state Rep. Evan Jenne, D-Dania Beach, last year ? and is now running for a different seat in the Florida House ? says her former opponent is being investigated for ?attempted bribery, intimidation, and public corruption.? Her allegations boil down to a claim that Jenne, who easily defeated Stevens and another challenger in the 2008 Democratic primary, was afraid that she?d run against him again next year. To avoid that, Stevens claims he attempted to bribe her by offering her money to run in a different House seat.